About the route from Mekong Delta to Con Dao
Con Dao sits well off the southern coast of Vietnam, so there is no road, bridge, or train to the island. The only ways to reach it are by ferry or by plane, and the right choice depends on where you are in the delta, since the Mekong Delta is a large region rather than a single departure point. The delta’s real advantage is the ferry: the crossing from Tran De is the shortest sea route to Con Dao, at around 2 to 2.5 hours.
There is one thing worth clearing up, because it confuses a lot of travelers. The ferry port is at Tran De, which used to be in Soc Trang province. Since the 2025 administrative changes, this area is now part of Can Tho City, so you will often see the route sold as the “Can Tho to Con Dao” ferry. The boat still leaves from Tran De, not from Can Tho city center. The older ferry that ran from central Can Tho no longer operates, so do not plan around a departure from the city itself.
Season matters more on this route than on most. The ferries run most often and most reliably from around April to September, when the seas are calmest, often with daily sailings. Outside those months, departures are less frequent and rough seas or strong winds can lead to cancellations, sometimes at short notice. Flights are far less affected by weather, though they can still be disrupted during storms.
Con Dao itself rewards the effort to get there. It is a peaceful island of quiet beaches, clear water, forested hills, and a heavy, moving history from its time as a prison island, with far fewer crowds than Vietnam’s better-known beach destinations. It suits travelers looking to slow down, swim, dive, and explore rather than chase nightlife or big resorts.
Discover what to see and do in our Con Dao travel guide.
Option 1: By ferry from the Mekong Delta to Con Dao
Where the ferry leaves from
The ferry to Con Dao leaves from Tran De, on the coast southeast of Soc Trang. As mentioned, this port now falls under Can Tho City after the 2025 changes, so it is sometimes called the Can Tho to Con Dao ferry, but the boat itself departs from Tran De. If you are staying in Can Tho, Soc Trang, or elsewhere in the western delta, you first make your way to Tran De by bus, private car, or taxi. The ferry operators usually offer shuttle transfers from Soc Trang, which makes reaching the port easier than arranging your own way there.
Operators, time, and price
Two reliable operators run the crossing, Phu Quoc Express and Superdong, both using modern, air-conditioned fast ferries. The trip takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, the shortest sea route to the island. A one-way ticket costs roughly 310,000 VND (about $13), with small variations by operator and passenger type. Ferries arrive at Ben Dam port on Con Dao, a short taxi or van ride from the main town, so arrange your onward transfer or ask your accommodation to help.
Booking and season
You can book online through the operators’ own sites or platforms like 12Go and Baolau, which is the easiest way to compare sailings in English. Booking ahead is wise, as seats sell out in the busy April to September season and on weekends. This is also the most reliable time to travel by sea, with frequent, often daily departures. Outside those months, sailings thin out and weather can cause cancellations, so keep your plans flexible and avoid booking a tight onward connection straight after the crossing.
Who the ferry is for
The ferry is the natural choice if you are already in the western delta and traveling in the calmer season. It suits travelers who do not want to backtrack toward a city airport, those keeping costs down, and anyone who likes the idea of arriving by sea. It is less suited to travelers on a tight schedule or visiting in the rougher months, when cancellations are a real risk and a flight is the safer bet.
Tip: combine the ferry with a Mekong Delta tour
The trip to the Tran De ferry works well as the finish to a wider Mekong Delta journey rather than just a transfer. Our Mekong Delta and Con Dao tour runs from Ho Chi Minh City through Can Tho, taking in floating markets, cycling, fruit orchards, and local homestays, before bringing you to the port for the boat across to Con Dao.
Option 2: By plane from the Mekong Delta to Con Dao
The Can Tho to Con Dao flight
There is a direct flight from Can Tho to Con Dao, operated by VASCO on a small turboprop plane, taking a little over an hour. On paper this is the quickest way to reach the island from the delta, but in practice it is a limited, niche option. Flights run only a few times a week rather than daily, seats are limited, and schedules can change between seasons. If the timing happens to line up with your trip, it is convenient, but it is not something to build a tight itinerary around.
Flights are the most reliable way to the island
Whichever airport you use, flying is the most weather-resilient way to reach Con Dao, a real advantage in the rougher months when ferries are prone to cancellation. The catch from the delta is that the only local departure, Can Tho, is so infrequent. If its schedule does not fit yours, the reliable alternative is to fly from Ho Chi Minh City, which has flights throughout the day, year-round. More on when that wider routing makes sense in Option 3 below.
Cost and who it is for
Fares from Can Tho to Con Dao start at around $55 to $90 one way. Flying suits travelers who are short on time, visiting outside the calm ferry season, or who simply prefer not to spend hours at sea. The trade-off is cost and the loss of the slower, more scenic journey, but for reliability it is hard to beat.
Read more about domestic flights in Vietnam.
Option 3: Go via Ho Chi Minh City instead
For some travelers, the most practical way to reach Con Dao from the Mekong Delta is not to look for a delta-direct connection at all, but to head back toward Ho Chi Minh City first. This depends entirely on where you are. If you are in the western delta around Can Tho or Soc Trang, the Tran De ferry is close and makes sense. But if you are staying in the eastern delta, in places like Ben Tre or My Tho, you are already much closer to Ho Chi Minh City, and backtracking there opens up far more options.
From Ho Chi Minh City you get the most frequent and reliable connections to Con Dao. There are multiple flights a day, year-round, which is a different level of reliability to the occasional Can Tho service, and a strong choice in the rougher months when ferries are uncertain. Ho Chi Minh City also has its own fast ferries to Con Dao, as well as the popular route from nearby Vung Tau, so you are not limited to flying.
This option suits travelers in the eastern delta, anyone visiting outside the calm ferry season, and those who want the security of frequent departures. The downside is the backtracking, which can feel like the wrong direction on the map, but in practice it often saves time and stress compared to building a trip around the limited delta-direct services. If you only want to reach the island reliably, routing through Ho Chi Minh City is frequently the smartest way.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Mekong Delta to Con Dao
The best way to travel from the Mekong Delta to Con Dao depends on where you are in the delta and the time of year. Here is a simple way to choose:
Ferry from Tran De – the natural choice if you are in the western delta around Can Tho or Soc Trang, especially in the calm April to September season, and the most scenic way to arrive.
Flight from Can Tho – worth it only if the limited, few-times-a-week schedule happens to line up with your plans.
Via Ho Chi Minh City – often the smartest option for travelers in the eastern delta or those visiting outside ferry season, with multiple daily flights plus ferry choices from the city and nearby Vung Tau.
For most travelers, it comes down to this: if you are already in the western delta and the seas are calm, take the ferry from Tran De and enjoy the crossing. If you are short on time, traveling in the rougher months, or based closer to Ho Chi Minh City, routing through the city gives you the most reliable way to reach the island.
